Don’t forget, if you have stories regarding any of these tools, we definitely want to hear them. Sharing is caring, and we will absolutely respect your privacy. Think about it.

This week’s concept is: Using Prompts.

This advice, as well as next week’s, when we wrap up the Anti-Block toolkit, should be taken with a grain of salt.

I recommend these last 2 things: Using Prompts and Reading for Inspiration, as last-ditch effort unblockers.

Why?

Because they can easily become distractions that keep you from the real work of writing.

Prompts can send your brain off in a hundred different directions, which is exactly what you want if you’re blocked, but devastating to a Work in Progress.

I recommend doing some soul-searching in your journal with some mindset prompts first:

• What would you ask for if you knew the answer was yes?
• What would you do if you knew you could not fail?
• What would future-you think of what you’re doing now?

If writing is not the problem, but something else is getting in your way, I recommend something like this:

• Do a habit or schedule audit. Where is your writing time? Is it still in the best place? What has changed that might affect how you’re working now?
• Cultivate Gratitude. Make a list of all the things you are grateful for and scatter them like confetti all over your space (post-its work great for this!).
• Celebrate small wins. Whatever, whenever, however; celebrate it!

Finally if writing has you stuck, try these prompts:

• What would your main character be like on a first date? Examine before, during, and after the date from their Point of View.
• Have your protagonist and antagonist run into each other before either one is ready for the encounter.
• Your main character (or a side character) suddenly inherits millions. How? and what will they do with it? How will it change them?

In this week’s email, I’ll give you even more creative prompts, but these should get you started. If you’re not getting the email, let me know, or hop on over to linseyewing.com and sign up under the Free Resources tab.

If you like this series on Writer’s Block, would you Fill Out This Form?

STRUGGLES & SUCCESSES

Prompts have only ever worked for me for short pieces. If given a prompt, I can spin a story, but it usually has a very clear beginning, middle, and end. That’s ok. Most stories do, but if you’ve read my novels, you know there is a fair amount of musing over what others are thinking, and that kind of mystery doesn’t often belong in a short piece either.

So.

I use them with caution. You should, too.

We’ve got one more week to go! Has this series been helpful? Let me know in a comment or Contact Me

CURRENT NOVEL PROGRESS

TDG: Release Date TBA!!!

ASD Draft 0: 15,401. Starting this one again in April 2026 if all goes as planned.

Project Zero: 0. Starting October 2025.

HAPPENING THIS MONTH

Every Tuesday in September: YouTube Stream at 5 PM Central / 6 EST

Next on the Radar: Author’s Roundtable. TBA.

We’re going to hear from a panel of authors about their passion projects, planning styles, processes, and publishing plans. Stay tuned for details.

In Other News

Don’t forget, if you’re having trouble naming your passion, finding time to work, or just want to discuss your WIP, I’m only a click away. Take the time. You won’t regret it.

Start or Finish today. I can help.

Book your FREE 15 minutes

Until next time

xxxlinsey

Don’t forget, if you have stories regarding any of these tools, we definitely want to hear them. Sharing is caring, and we will absolutely respect your privacy. Think about it.

This week’s concept is: Setting Small Goals

Or, as I like to call it: How to Eat an Elephant.

You’ve heard the story, right? The young person asks the wise old person how it’s possible to eat an elephant. The wise old person replies: One bite at a time.

Major projects are overwhelming, especially when you don’t have a team to help. When it’s just you, the burden of completing all these tasks falls to you; how do you know what to do and when?

I have found this method is the best way to attack an overwhelming problem or project.

• Break the project into smaller parts so it’s not so scary.
• Break those parts into still smaller chunks.
• Break those chunks down into actionable steps.

I have a worksheet for this that I’d be happy to share with you. It’s a visual representation (yes, there’s an elephant) of how to break down 1 big task, again and again, to discover smaller action steps.

Want it? Just email me with the subject: “I need the elephant!”

In this week’s email, I’ll give you an example of how I’ve done this for a big project like a novel. If you’re not getting the email, let me know, or hop on over to linseyewing.com and sign up under the Free Resources tab.

If you like this series on Writer’s Block, would you Fill Out This Form? It’s new and improved and should be collecting email addresses now.

STRUGGLES & SUCCESSES

I took my own advice and Changed Scenery. It hasn’t gone as planned, but I have some goals I want to accomplish by the end of the year, and I made space for myself to prepare for those.

I’m using the elephant method to figure out 2026 as well as the rest of 2025.

I’m having to be patient now that TDG is out of my hands and I have nothing more to do with it anymore. It’s been a wild ride, and I’m not sure I’m ready for it to be over, but it’s time to get geared up with something different, too.

So, you see, I am not just preaching from on high. I use these tools every day and share them with you because they work. What’s been your favorite tool so far? The most helpful? The least?

Let me know in a comment or Contact Me

CURRENT NOVEL PROGRESS

TDG: Release Date TBA!!! It’s in the Cover Designer and Formatter’s hands, so you will know as soon as I do what the next steps are.

ASD Draft 0: 15,401. Starting this one again in April 2026 if all goes as planned.

Project Zero: 0. Starting October 2025. I’ve got it, and I’m a bit nervous, but like Eating an Elephant, it has to start one bite at a time.

HAPPENING THIS MONTH

Every Tuesday in September: YouTube Stream at 5 PM Central / 6 EST

Next on the Radar: Author’s Roundtable. TBA.

We’re going to hear from a panel of authors about their passion projects, planning styles, processes, and publishing plans. Stay tuned for details.

In Other News

Don’t forget, if you’re having trouble naming your passion, finding time to work, or just want to discuss your WIP, I’m only a click away. Take the time. You won’t regret it.

Start or Finish today. I can help.

Book your FREE 15 minutes

Until next time

xxxlinsey

Don’t forget, if you have stories regarding Creative Patience, Filling the Well, Documenting, or Freewriting we want to hear them. Sharing is caring, and we will absolutely respect your privacy. Think about it.

We’re halfway through our Anti-Block Toolkit. How does it feel? Let me know

This week’s concept is: Changing Scenery

Yet another trick that sounds easy and is easy, but can be really tricky to start.

Changing scenery can be easy or as hard as you make it. It only takes a little imagination. It can be as simple as turning your chair around or as complicated as going on a cruise. You decide. I’ll give you some of my best tips.

• Literally turn your chair, desk, computer, workbench, or whatever around. 360 degrees. Turn your back on your block and start fresh. Too extreme? 90 degrees does wonders too.
• Perch somewhere you don’t normally write. I wrote Goodbye at my kitchen table. Every word of it.
• Borrow someone else’s space. Crash on your parents’ couch, borrow a friend’s basement, or repurpose a shared space into a writing nook for the weekend. Trade chores for quiet time. Whatever you have to do in your own house or (ask nicely and be a nice guest) someone else’s
• Try longhand or word-processor writing, whichever you don’t normally do. If you’ve got an outline on your computer, try writing the first chapter by hand. If you have notes in longhand, try transcribing them into Scrivener or Docs.
• Change your screen. I talked about some extreme versions last week, but there are others. Literally look through rose-colored glasses. Turn your screen a soothing blue, green, or purple. With white text, I bet it looks quite pretty. Turn your text to a brilliant shade that matches your (or your character’s) mood.
• Go on a Writer’s Retreat. I know one coming up in October in French Camp, MS. You don’t have to have company; you can go it alone. Pick a place and a calendar date and make it happen! Overwhelmed? Ask me about mine, or research your own. Pinterest has a lot of ideas.

STRUGGLES & SUCCESSES

I’ll give you some of my best tips and tricks for building your own writer’s retreat in this week’s email. If you’re not getting the email, let me know, or hop on over to linseyewing.com and sign up under the Get Access tab.

Changing Scenery can involve a few big or little changes. It doesn’t have to be a complete overhaul. Remember, though, this is an emergency, and you want to get writing as soon as possible. Some extreme measures are warranted and don’t have to be permanent.

If you like this series on Writer’s Block, would you Fill Out This Form? It’s all about Writer’s Block and would help us both tremendously.

CURRENT NOVEL PROGRESS

TDG: Release Date TBA!!!

ASD Draft 0: 15,401. Starting this one again in April 2026 if all goes as planned.

Project Zero: 0. Starting October 2025 with a new idea.

HAPPENING THIS MONTH

Every Tuesday in August and September: YouTube Stream at 5 PM Central / 6 EST

Next on the Radar: Author’s Roundtable. TBA.

Authors Interviewed: 3. Still waiting on a couple of Invites. As always, if you’d like to participate, please message me!

We’re going to hear from a panel of authors about their passion projects, planning styles, processes, and publishing plans. Stay tuned for details.

In Other News

Don’t forget, if you’re having trouble naming your passion, finding time to work, or just want to discuss your WIP, I’m only a click away. Take the time. You won’t regret it.

Start or Finish today. I can help.

Book your FREE 15 minutes

Until next time

xxxlinsey

Don’t forget, if you have stories regarding Creative Patience, Filling the Well, or Documenting, we want to hear them. Sharing is caring, and we will absolutely respect your privacy. Think about it.

This week’s concept is another that is both easy and hard: Freewriting

It can be a pain to start, but I bet once you do, you’ll never go back.

Last week we talked about Morning Pages, and freewriting is only a little different…a little more…free.

Morning Pages have rules: 3 pages, long-hand writing, first thing in the morning. Don’t stop until you’ve filled those pages. AND (this rule is mine) when you’ve finished your 3 pages, go write somewhere else.

Freewriting has more flow, more nuance, more frippery. You can doodle and draw. You can plan. You can write. You can dream. You can just let the pen wander.

There’s no to-do list. Just you and the paper. Or the word processor.

Yes, you can freewrite on the computer, and I often do. It’s best if you don’t look at what you’re typing. There are a couple of ways to do this:

• adjust the screen toward or away from you so you can’t read the text
• adjust the lighting or contrast of your screen so that the glare blocks your ability to read
• change your text to white or your screen to black
• turn off the monitor

Some of these are pretty extreme, but they work! Just letting your fingers fly over the keys is magical.

Give it a try.

Longhand freewriting is of course also acceptable. Permission granted to purchase a new journal/pen set for this new adventure.

Remember, if there are rules, then you imposed them and you can un-impose them. Freewriting is about pure joy and release. Don’t ruin it for yourself.

Put pen to paper and see what flows. Write, draw, or flick the pen(cil) in whatever direction feels right.

STRUGGLES & SUCCESSES

I’ve had some interesting things happen when Freewriting.

I’ll tell you some of them in this week’s email. If you’re not getting the email, let me know, or hop on over to linseyewing.com and sign up under the Get Access tab.

The best things are unexpected.

A detail. A revelation. A sticky spot un-sticky-fied.

You never know what kind of magic can happen when you’re freewriting. Give it a try. Let me know how it goes.

If you like this series on Writer’s Block, would you Fill Out This Form? It’s all about Writer’s Block and would help us both tremendously.

CURRENT NOVEL PROGRESS

TDG: Final Stages In Progress

ASD Draft 0: 15,401

Project Zero: 0

It’s Happening. The Daily Grind is underway.

The Editor is involved. Advance Readers have been contacted and are sitting on ready. The final exterior details are in the hands of the Cover Designer.

I persevere.

I’ve decided ASD is probably a project for April, my first writing month of the year. I think it will hold until then.

Project Zero: has no name because it is not even an idea yet….but it will be. Stay tuned.

HAPPENING THIS MONTH

Every Tuesday in August and September: YouTube Stream at 5 PM Central / 6 EST

Next on the Radar: Author’s Roundtable. TBA.

Authors Interviewed: 3. Still waiting on a couple of Invites. As always, if you’d like to participate, please message me!

We’re going to hear from a panel of authors about their passion projects, planning styles, processes, and publishing plans. Stay tuned for details.

In Other News

Don’t forget, if you’re having trouble naming your passion, finding time to work, or just want to discuss your WIP, I’m only a click away. Take the time. You won’t regret it.

Start or Finish today. I can help.

Book your FREE 15 minutes

Until next time

xxxlinsey

If you have stories regarding Creative Patience or Filling the Well, we want to hear them. This journey can be a lonely one and we can use all the encouragement available. If you have a story to share, please contact me. We’d love to hear it.

Now, on to exploring a different concept: Documenting

This is one from my history and it’s a hard story to tell. A very wise person and the original reader of this blog, once gave me some very good advice about Creative Blocks.

If you can’t Create, Document.

It was, like most of this person’s advice, simple but cryptic.

I was seriously blocked. Maybe the worst in my life. This advice got me unstuck.

But.

What does it MEAN?

It’s actually very easy, but it can be VERY hard to start.

Documenting means putting down in words what’s happening around you. It can be the weather, your feelings, daily occurrences, habit tracking, or anything really. What you document is up to you.

The point is to keep a log (of anything) that proves you are moving through the world. Things are happening to you. You are surviving. You have not given up.

It starts with paying attention.

Write about what flowers are in bloom or what birds or insects are visiting them.

Write about what the sky looks like and what the colors remind you of in other parts of nature.

Write about what you had for breakfast lunch and dinner and how you acquired that food, who you ate it with, how it tasted, and how you felt after.

Write about anything.

You may be surprised to find some of these descriptors showing up later in your fiction or non-fiction writing when you are past your block. You never know what little tidbits of the journey are useful that you might otherwise have overlooked.

STRUGGLES & SUCCESSES

Fortunately, I haven’t been at this stage in a very long while, but I have been broken before.

I’ve counted hours, staring at the ceiling, thankful to be alive.

Not pleasant, but doable.

If you can count, gather, catalogue, list, track, or otherwise document your surroundings for 30 days, I bet it will change your writing game, and maybe your life.

Last week, I wrote about Artist Dates from The Artist’s Way. This week, I introduce Julia Cameron’s other tool: Morning Pages.

If you don’t know about Morning Pages, I’ll explain more in this week’s email, but suffice it to say they are longhand writing.

(If you’re not getting the email, let me know, or hop on over to linseyewing.com and sign up under the Get Access tab.)

There’s no better way to Document.

Start with a new journal, a new pen and a new attitude, or pick up a well-loved friend and pour your heart out.

Start now.

Remember, the “what” is up to you. The “why” is yours too. Here’s a “how” you can try, and if you don’t, well, don’t blame me. I’ve given you the “when” and now the “who” should be obvious.

Here’s another challenge: If even pen and paper feel too much for your poor heart, try a camera. Log your days with photos or videos. Collage or paint or make a pretty log book. Try something. See what happens.

If you like this series on Writer’s Block, would you Fill Out This Form? It’s all about Writer’s Block and would help us both tremendously.

CURRENT NOVEL PROGRESS

TDG: Final Stages In Progress

ASD Draft 0: 15,401

Project Zero: 0

It’s Happening. The Daily Grind is underway.

Dreaming and Doing at the same time is not my ideal way to function, but it is A way to do things. I am currently finishing the final draft, planning the launch, writing the book description, negotiating the cover, and thinking about marketing all for TDG. Some of it feels too early. Some of it feels too late. All of it feels wrong. All of it feel exactly right.

I persevere.

You’ll notice a new project on the list. I plan to start it as soon as this is over. Maybe October. Stay tuned.

HAPPENING THIS MONTH

Every Tuesday in August: YouTube Stream at 5 PM Central / 6 EST

Next on the Radar: Author’s Roundtable. TBA.

Authors Interviewed: 3

This is a fun little idea I had in February that is coming to fruition. We’re going to hear from a panel of authors about their passion projects, planning styles, processes, and publishing plans. Stay tuned for details. And as always, if you’d like to participate, please message me!

In Other News

Don’t forget, if you’re having trouble naming your passion, finding time to work, or just want to discuss your WIP, I’m only a click away. Take the time. You won’t regret it.

Start or Finish today. I can help.

Book your FREE 15 minutes

Until next time

xxxlinsey

If you have any stories regarding Creative Patience, I want to hear them. Any times your patience paid off, or waiting for the Muse brought an unexpected gift. I’d love to hear them and share them.

This week we’re diving into filling the Creative Well.

It looks a lot like Self Care, which you have heard me talk about ad nauseum, I am sure, but there’s nothing more important, especially for a creative, because we need nurturing, and frankly my dear, no one else is going to do it for you.

So how do we go about filling this seemingly endless need for creativity in our lives?

First of all…

We accept that there is no limit.

We don’t have to worry about using it up or using too much. That’s a scarcity mentality, and I am all too familiar with it. It’s looking at the world, not only glass-half-full, but as if there is a lack of liquid.

There’s not. It’s all out there for you to access. Endless creativity. Endless source.

We’ll talk practical steps in this week’s email. If you’re not getting that, let me know, or hop on over to linseyewing.com and sign up under the Get Access tab.

STRUGGLES & SUCCESSES

It’s been a struggle for me to find time to fill the well this month with all I’ve got going on. Between work and client meetings, friend and family events, and personal downtime, I’m stretched a bit thin. Still, I try to make a point every week to set aside time for an Artist Date. That’s not my term or my concept. It’s from Julia Cameron’s The Artist’s Way, which I highly recommend. An Artist Date is a “solo playful excursion” during which I endeavor to let go of the world and just play.

Lately, I’ve been doing a paint-by-number, which I purchased for around $10, so Artist’s Dates don’t have to be expensive or daunting, though you might find that one to be both. Find something this week that brings you joy and just try it. If you need permission, consider this it.

If you like this series on Writer’s Block, would you Fill Out This Form? It’s all about Writer’s Block and would help us both tremendously.

CURRENT NOVEL PROGRESS

TDG FINAL DRAFT: In Progress

ASD Draft 0: 15,401

It’s Happening. The Final Draft of The Daily Grind is underway.

I’m dictating the final draft because my headache (which has been around for 31 days as of this writing) will not let me stare at a word processor long enough to get it done.

Is this an obstacle? Yes. Am I daunted? NO.

I’ve been in touch with the editor and the cover designer/formatter so everything should be on track for September at this point. I will let you know if that changes.

You should have a copy in your hands soon, though I do not yet have a release date. Believe me, you will be the first to know, and I will invite you to my launch party.

HAPPENING THIS MONTH

Every Tuesday in August: YouTube Stream at 5 PM Central / 6 EST

Next on the Radar: Author’s Roundtable. TBA.

This is a fun little idea I had in February that is coming to fruition. We’re going to hear from a panel of authors about their passion projects, planning styles, processes, and publishing plans. Stay tuned for details. And as always, if you’d like to participate, please message me!

In Other News

Don’t forget, if you’re having trouble naming your passion, finding time to work, or just want to discuss your WIP, I’m only a click away. Take the time. You won’t regret it.

Start or Finish today. I can help.

Book your FREE 15 minutes

Until next time

xxxlinsey